Bioprocessing vessel having integral fluid conduit

Abstract

A bioprocessing apparatus includes a flexible bag having an interior volume configured to contain a fluid, and an integral fluid conduit within the flexible bioprocessing bag. The integral fluid conduit includes a panel of material joined to an interior sidewall of the flexible bag so as to define a fluid channel between the interior sidewall of the flexible bag and the panel of material. The integral fluid conduit may include a bottom outlet opening, a top outlet opening, or both. The apparatus may further include a port in a top of the flexible bag, a port in the bottom of the flexible bag, or both, wherein the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the ports.

1 . A bioprocessing apparatus for the manufacture of biopharmaceutical products, comprising:
 a flexible bag having an interior volume configured to contain a fluid; and   an integral fluid conduit within the flexible bioprocessing bag, comprising:
 a panel of material joined to an interior sidewall of the flexible bag so as to define a fluid channel between the interior sidewall of the flexible bag and the panel of material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the integral fluid conduit includes a bottom outlet opening, the bottom outlet opening in fluid communication with the interior volume.   
     
     
         3 . The bioprocessing apparatus of claim  14 ar_ 2 , further comprising:
 a first port in a top of the flexible bag;   wherein a top of the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the first port.   
     
     
         4 . The bioprocessing apparatus of claim  14 ar- 3 , further comprising:
 a second port in a bottom of the flexible bag;   wherein a bottom of the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the second port; and   wherein integral fluid conduit is not in fluid communication with the interior volume.   
     
     
         5 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel of material is an elongated piece of material and is welded, heat sealed, or glued to the interior sidewall of the flexible bag to create opposed vertically extending seals with the interior sidewall, such that a channel is formed between the elongated piece of material and the interior sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one or both of the opposed vertically extending seals is shorter than a length of the elongated piece of material, creating a flap. 
     
     
         7 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel of material includes pores and/or comprises a porous membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel of material is at least partially made from or coated with a foam-reducing material. 
     
     
         9 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduct is configured to act as a sparger, a filter, a sterile addition tube, a tube holder, a baffle, or a temperature regulating conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The bioprocessing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tube, the at least one tube being at least partially located within the integral fluid conduit. 
     
     
         11 . A method for use in manufacture of biopharmaceutical products, comprising:
 providing a flexible bag having an interior volume configured to contain a fluid; and   creating an integral fluid conduit within the flexible bioprocessing bag, comprising:
 joining a panel of material to an interior sidewall of the flexible bag so as to define a fluid channel between the interior sidewall of the flexible bag and the panel of material. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the integral fluid conduit includes a bottom outlet opening, the bottom outlet opening in fluid communication with the interior volume, the method further comprising introducing at least one fluid or gas into the interior volume through the integral fluid conduit and the bottom outlet opening.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the flexible bag includes a first port in a top of the flexible bag;   wherein a top of the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the first port; and   wherein the at least one fluid or gas is introduced through the first port.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the flexible bag includes a first port in a top of the flexible bag and a second port in a bottom of the flexible bag;   wherein a top of the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the first port and a bottom of the integral fluid conduit is fluidly connected to the port such that the fluid conduit is not in fluid communication with the interior volume, the method further comprising introducing a fluid into the integral fluid conduit.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the panel of material is an elongated piece of material, the method comprising welding, heat sealing, or gluing the panel of material to the interior sidewall of the flexible bag to create opposed vertically extending seals with the interior sidewall, such that a channel is formed between the elongated piece of material and the interior sidewall.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein one or both of the opposed vertically extending seals is shorter than a length of the elongated piece of material, creating a flap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising including includes pores and/or a porous membrane on the panel of material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the panel of material is at least partially made from or coated with a foam-reducing material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 sparging a gas through the integral fluid conduit;   filtering at least one component of a fluid using the fluid conduit; or   providing at least one tube within the integral fluid conduit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing at least one tube, the at least one tube being at least partially located within the integral fluid conduit.